NFYK16009U Particle Detectors and
Accelerators

The purpose of this course is to learn how subatomic particles
are produced with accelerators and detected in modern experiments
and how the experimental data are analyzed. This will involve
almost all previously learned physics.
The course will conclude with a visit to a physics laboratory where
accelerators and particle detectors are in daily focus.

This course is central for any later course or master/PhD project
in experimental subatomic physics and also recommended for students
specializing in X-ray physics, neutron physics and medical physics
or other fields using energetic subatomic particles.

In the laboratory, students will operate particle detectors such
as scintillator counters and gaseous tracking detectors, using
cosmic rays and radioactive sources, in order to measure physical
quantities.

In the class-room they will make calculations of the expected
performance of various detectors and accelerators.

can make a new design or evaluate an existing design of a
particle detector system or an accelerator for a given purpose
using analytical methods.

can make more precise simulations of detector performance and
analyze the data using tools based on the C++ language.

can make a simple read-out trigger system using NIM electronics
and modern FPGA techniques.

can combine knowledge from many different disciplines to obtain
a practical result.

Knowledge: The students will know about:

Principles of particle accelerators.

Theory of particle passage through matter.

Concepts of data analysis and simulation.

Various software tools based on C++.

All types of different particle detectors, their principle of
operation, advantages and limitations.

Basic concepts of electronics and read-out.

Competences:
This course will provide competence for further studies within
experimental particle, nuclear, X-ray, neutron, medical physics or
other physics using particle detection and also strengthen general
programming, electronics and other “engineering”
competences.

The continuous part of the evaluation consists of theoretical
and experimental exercises during the course and counts for 20% of
the final grade.
The oral exam Count for 80% of the final grade. The students will
be provided, three days before the exam, with a publication about a
recently proposed experiment, and a set of questions regarding the
publication. The answer to these questions will constitute the
basis of a 15 minutes presentation the students will give on the
subject, on the day of the exam. The presentation will be followed
by questions on the material presented and on the general subjects
of the course.

Aid

All aids allowed

Marking scale

7-point grading scale

Censorship form

No external censorship

More internal examiners

Re-exam

Same as regular exam. Students who have not passed the
continuous part of the evaluation should contact the teacher before
the re-exam in order to finish any missing exercises.

Criteria for exam assesment

The grade 12 is given to a student who at the exam has shown
clear understanding of all theoretical and experimental aspects
covered in the course, and in addition has demonstrated the skills
listed in the section called "Skills" during the
laboratory and computing exercises.